FAA issues no-fly zone in area of President’s stay on Oahu

Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) will be in place on Oahu from Dec. 18 until Jan. 3, 2015. These are identical to the restrictions that have been on Oahu during the holiday season for the last several years. The restrictions can be viewed here: tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_…

The FAA wants to emphasize that the entire restricted area is a No Drone Zone. Nobody can operate any unmanned aircraft, including model aircraft, in the area when the restrictions are in effect.

The FAA recommends that all aircraft operators check Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) frequently for possible changes to this TFR before operating in this region.

Pilots who violate the restrictions can be intercepted, detained and interviewed by law enforcement/security personnel. Additionally, the FAA can impose civil penalties against them or suspend or revoke their pilot certificates. They also could face federal criminal charges. Furthermore, the U.S. government may use deadly force against an airborne aircraft if it is determined the aircraft poses an imminent security threat.

The restrictions encompass two areas:

A highly restricted inner core centered roughly on the Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Air Station, with a 10-nautical mile radius, excluding the airspace southwest of Kokohead.

A less restricted outer ring that encompasses the airspace between 10 and 30 nautical miles from the center of the TFR.

Within the inner core

All aircraft operations are prohibited except for: Approved law enforcement, military aircraft directly supporting the United States Secret Service (USSS) and the office of the President of the United States; approved air ambulance flights; and regularly scheduled commercial passenger and all-cargo carriers operating under a TSA-approved standard security program. All emergency/life-saving flight (medical/law enforcement/firefighting) operations must coordinate with air traffic control (ATC) prior to their departure to avoid potential delays.

Within the outer ring

All aircraft operating within the outer ring are limited to aircraft arriving or departing local airfield. Workload permitting, ATC may authorize aircraft to transit through the airspace. Aircraft may not loiter. All aircraft must be on an active flight plan and must have transponders that broadcast a code that is unique to that aircraft and assigned by an ATC facility. Pilots also must remain in two-way radio communications with ATC.